The Ragged Edge of Night

Based on real events, I wanted to know more about the church bells after reading this book. I researched and found actual photos taken during WW2. It was a beautiful yet heartbreaking story.

Ok, I want to say, I knew Not A Thing About this Book, it just showed up on a list, I liked the way it sounded by the back cover, so I ordered it . IT WAS SOOO GOOD !!! I love when it turns out, that a purchase bought on a whim, is a found treasure ! It's about a Francisacan friar named Anton who is stripped of his order and the school he teaches at, with other brothers, who take care and raise, and nurture, and love, young children who are all suffering with different degrees of mental challenges. The School and ALL THE CHILDREN are seized by the Nazis, To be carted off on a bus, and to have their little lives destroyed by gas, as Hitler sees them "Not Fit For Living"! As much as all the Friars try to obstruct the taking of the children, it comes down to a bullet in the heart, and step over you, as they take the kids anyway. Anton is Devastated to his heart, with a hurt, and pain, and guilt he can never let go of. He does a very short time in Hitlers army, being forced to join, and is hurt parachuting out of a plane. It's not a serious injury, but enough to pretend that its worse, and to end his days fighting in the war, to his absolute relief, as he NEVER will do ANYTHING for Hitler and His Sick mind, and the destruction and killing of all innocent people. Anton travels to a remote village in Germany, answering an add in the paper, that a very desperate widowed housewife, seeks a marriage in name only...to a man, that can help her raise her three children. Anton sees this as a way...in his mind, to make Atonement for the children he couldn't stop from being taken away and killed. He and Elizabeth meet, and talk about their lives, her children, and expectations of their marriage agreement. She takes two weeks time to think it over, to know that in her heart she's doing the right thing for her and her children, Always her children..who she keeps First and foremost in her heart ! As Anton and Elizabeth come together, Its hard and awkward for them both, but very soon Anton, can't help but, absolutely Adore the Children, as they do him..and overtime, he thinks of them As HIS Children, My Kids, Nothing less, and will do anything to protect them, and care for them all with a loving heart. At one point, Anton is asked by the local pastor of the village, who over the year, has gotten very close with, to help him, pass messages to others, in the neighboring villages, as part of a Resistance Network, who are trying to eventually assassinate Hitler. Anton joins the network of resisters, passing messages in secret as he is asked, and everything is going along fine, with his new family, his new loving role as husband and father, until its discovered that the SS have caught a resistor, in one of the villages, and now none of them know how far the arm will reach, till the Pastor and Anton themselves are found out. Anton sends his family to live in the safety of his sister's house, in another part of Germany, for Never wanting to put the family he loves, more than he ever imagined he could,... in any kind of life threatening danger. While away the Pastor and Anton, take a Final Stand Against Hitler, their Final act of Defiance.. that very well could cost them their lives. I can't give you a clue as to what they do, for it would ruin everything, but I will say this story is Great ! The Author writes with such vivid description, and details, making you feel, see, smell, imagine all that she is describing in her storytelling. Details that I now see are neccessary to the story and the characters... You Feel this Book..Not just Read it ! It's probably the best compliment I can give to this writer. It's Full of Compassion, and forgiveness, and love ! Beautiful, tender, and deeply felt..with a surprising and wonderful ending.!! An absolute once in a lifetime read , and so very glad I did !! I am now going to see what other "gems" she has written. If there could ever be a somewhat "nicer" war story, this is it !!! I highly recommend.